Bethesda Academy, a leading residential and day school for boys in grades six through 12, recently hired Merrin Slocombe as the director of farm and gardens. In her new position, she will oversee the daily operations of Bethesda Academy’s five-acre organic farm and gardens.

Slocombe will also focus on teaching students the importance of ecological sustainability as well as entrepreneurship through hands-on learning and contemporary organic farming techniques. In addition, she will oversee the Bethesda Academy Farm Stand, which is open on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., selling fresh produce, seasonal vegetables, organic garden seedlings, farm-fresh eggs, grass-fed beef and organic goat milk soaps.

Prior to joining Bethesda Academy, Slocombe served as the former director of nutrition and wellness programing for Nederland Area Seniors. Her experience also includes farm work in Austin, Texas, organizing and building community gardens and horticultural sales. Originally from Nederland, Co., Slocombe graduated from the University of Colorado where she studied environmental science and ethnobotany.